Extra of the identical or an outsider – the wannabes eyeing up the highest spot

A number of CDU politicians have introduced they need to succeed Angela Merkel as celebration chief. Listed here are some oft the candidates:

The Mini-Merkel

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (56) in all probability has one of the best probability of turning into the subsequent CDU chief after Merkel named her as get together secretary- basic in February – a transfer seen as a succession plan.

Dubbed a ‘mini-Merkel’ by German media as a result of her rational strategy to politics, Kramp-Karrenbauer was premier of the tiny state of Saarland on the French border from 2011 to 2018.

Her Catholic, western German background contrasts with Merkel’s Protestant, japanese roots. Whereas socially conservative and recognized for opposing homosexual marriage, Kramp-Karrenbauer can also be a robust supporter of the minimal wage and staff’ rights. She has stated the CDU might want to regain some ardour if it needs to draw youthful voters.

The Critic

Well being Minister Jens Spahn (38) is one among Merkel’s most outspoken critics.

He positions himself as a politician from Germany’s rural north-west who’s sceptical of city liberals and the globalist elite.

A member of the decrease home of parliament since 2002, Spahn has been seen as a rising star for years. Nevertheless, anti-immigration rhetoric through the refugee disaster value him sympathy amongst Merkel allies.

Spahn is a Catholic like Kramp-Karrenbauer however, regardless of the Church’s opposition to homosexual partnerships, is married to Daniel Funke, a senior journalist on the shiny journal ‘Bunte’.

The Outsider

Friedrich Merz (62), a member of the CDU’s conservative wing, has coined the thought of a German ‘Leitkultur’, or ‘lead tradition’, with which he referred to as on Muslim immigrants to assimilate and undertake German values and traditions.

He’s additionally recognized for his proposal to simplify the annual tax return in order that it could possibly be written on a beer mat.

Merz is among the many many conservative males who’ve seen their political fortunes dwindle beneath Merkel.